PEORIA, Ill. - The Elmhurst University softball team opened the 2022 season by splitting a pair of contest at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The Bluejays fell 3-1 to Loras College before edging Monmouth College 4-3.
LORAS 3, ELMHURST 1 - Loras pitcher Ashlyn Hemm tossed a complete game and struck out 15 while helping Loras defeat the Bluejays 3-1 in Elmhurst's season-opener.
Loras scored a run in the top of the first but Elmhurst pulled even on a solo homer from
Alana Batista in the bottom of the fourth. The Duhawks took advantage of an Elmhurst error to score two unearned runs in the top of the fifth and move in front 3-1.
Elmhurst put the tying runs in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Hemm struck out back-to-back batters to end the contest for Loras.
Batista collected two of Elmhurst's three hits on the day.
Brianna Pisauro suffered the loss for Elmhurst in the circle despite pitching well. Pisauro allowed just five hits and three unearned runs while pitching all seven innings. She walked one and struck out three.
ELMHURST 4, MONMOUTH 3 - Elmhurst bounced back from its loss to defeat Monmouth 4-3.
The Bluejays scored all four runs in the second inning and then held off a late surge from Monmouth to earn the one-run victory.
Elmhurst sent nine batters to the plate in the second inning.
Reese Coon started the scoring with an RBI single to put Elmhurst in front. Batista added a two-run single and
Jamie Haas also singled home a run in the inning.
Monmouth scored a run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to pull to within a run, but the Scots stranded the tying run at second as Elmhurst earned the victory.
Batista finished 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in two runs while Coon and
Hannah Dunk finished with two hits apiece for the Bluejays.
Jena Hicks made the start and earned the win from the circle. Hicks worked six innings, allowing just seven hits and two earned runs. She walked three and struck out three.
Sydni Gizynski earned the save for Elmhurst, pitching the final inning and allowing just one hit while fanning two.
The Bluejays return to Peoria next Friday to face UW-Platteville and Mount Mary.
